Is this difficult?

The earth shook, the Thunder Fire Divine Tablet shone brilliantly, and all the divine scripts surged into the ground.

A wave of heat rose into the air, making the entire Grandmaster Mansion feel as if it were perched atop a volcano; everyone could smell the scent of magma.

Flames erupted from the soil, dyeing the structures of the Grandmaster Mansion a deep crimson.

During the tremors, three deep pits within the Li Fire River bubbled with magma, and once they overflowed, the molten rock began to flow along the riverbed.

The Li Fire River, which had been dry for thousands of years, began to flow once more.

"It's activated, it's actually activated, it worked, it worked!"

Su Youqian was ecstatic; he jumped up, embraced Liu Chengfeng, and laughed loudly.

"Brother, I knew you were a genius seen once in ten thousand years—no, once in a hundred thousand years!"

"It succeeded—"

Seeing the Li Fire River flowing with magma, Ye Yiqing understood what this meant: Liu Chengfeng had succeeded, and she would not have to marry Su Youqian.

"It's activated—"

Ye Yitian and the others were shocked, unable to believe their eyes.

The Grand Marshal had once struggled to comprehend it, and all of them had also tried in vain; none could decipher the Thunder Fire Divine Tablet or activate the Ancestral Hall.

Now, Liu Chengfeng had activated it with a casual gesture, proving that his earlier words were indeed no boast.

What a shocking and world-shaking talent this was.

"The Ancestral Hall is activated; we have finally waited for this day."

The experts of the Grandmaster Mansion were immensely excited, especially those at the Reception Divine Treasury realm and above.

The Reception Divine Treasury allowed one to absorb the power of nature.

The experts of the Grandmaster Mansion, after performing the reception, all practiced cultivation methods of the fire attribute.

With the Ancestral Hall activated, fire-attribute spiritual energy flooded the entire Grandmaster Mansion, allowing their cultivation to progress with half the effort.

How could they not be excited?

"Is this difficult?"

Liu Chengfeng slowly glanced at Ye Yitian and the others.

Earlier, everyone in the Grandmaster Mansion had been unconvinced, but now that Liu Chengfeng had truly activated the Ancestral Hall with a wave of his hand, even the geniuses of the Grandmaster Mansion could no longer hold their heads high.

Ye Yitian and the others stood there, their expressions awkward.

"Good, good, good! A hero emerges from the youth; I am impressed, truly impressed."

A loud laugh rang out, and the might of the Great Dao surged forward like a wave as an old man approached, surrounded by a crowd.

The old man wore purple robes that trailed on the ground, with long white hair and a beard; his eyes were sharp and spirited, his posture like a tiger descending a mountain, with the faint sound of a roar accompanying him.

Upon the old man's appearance, all the experts of the Grandmaster Mansion bowed low, shouting, "Grand Marshal!"

The Grand Marshal, Ye Ziyang, was one of the three great powerhouses of the Qiuchi Kingdom.

"Young Master Liu is a youthful genius; truly remarkable, truly remarkable."

Ye Ziyang cupped his hands toward Liu Chengfeng, showing the humility of a superior toward a subordinate, and extended an olive branch to him.

"The Grandmaster Mansion is thirsty for talent. Would Young Master Liu be willing to take a position in our Grandmaster Mansion? A high post awaits you."

Everyone in the Grandmaster Mansion looked at Liu Chengfeng; for the Grand Marshal to personally show such deference was a great honor.

"No need."

Liu Chengfeng refused flatly, then looked at Cheng Nan.

"It is time to fulfill the wager."

Cheng Nan froze where he stood, his face turning the color of liver, at a loss for what to do.

He was the strongest alchemist in the Qiuchi Kingdom, a genius of the Cheng Clan, and one of the Three Retinues of the Grandmaster Mansion; his status was noble.

To be forced to kneel and kowtow to someone in front of everyone was a supreme humiliation.

"Cheng Nan, a bet is a bet."

Ye Ziyang spoke with an authority that brooked no resistance; his words were law.

With a miserable expression, Cheng Nan gritted his teeth, knelt down, and slammed his head against the ground three times before standing up.

His eyes spewed terrifying rage, but Liu Chengfeng acted as if he didn't see it.

"Grand Marshal, is the agreement still valid?"

Su Youqian stepped forward to hold Ye Ziyang to his promise.

"Valid, it is valid. Since you young people are unwilling, I will not force you. I have a bond of life and death with the Old Matriarch; if you wish to study the Fierce Beast Heart Method, take it."

Ye Ziyang agreed immediately, looking at Liu Chengfeng with a face full of smiles, as kind as could be.

"Young Master Liu is a talented youth, and my daughter is peerless in both beauty and talent; they would make a perfect pair. Would Young Master Liu be willing?"

Ye Ziyang arranged a marriage for Liu Chengfeng on the spot, leaving everyone present stunned.

"Absolutely not—"

Ye Yiqing was the first to object.

Cheng Nan also opposed it, though he only said it softly, the word "no" merely drifting from the corners of his lips.

"It seems your father doesn't dote on you as much as you thought."

Liu Chengfeng glanced at Ye Yiqing, causing her to freeze in place, her face flushing red then turning deathly pale.

"We can leave now, right?"

As Liu Chengfeng prepared to depart, Ye Ziyang's expression stiffened for a moment, though he immediately resumed a beaming smile, cold light flickering deep within his eyes.

The atmosphere plummeted instantly, the pressure of the Great Dao making it difficult for anyone to breathe.

"Of course, of course."

Liu Chengfeng turned and walked away. Su Youqian let out a hearty laugh, bowed to the crowd, bid them farewell, and led his men to follow Liu Chengfeng.

"Do come and visit often, Young Master Liu."

Ye Ziyang remained enthusiastic, calling out even as Liu Chengfeng moved further away.

Only after Liu Chengfeng had departed did Ye Ziyang retract his gaze. His expression was terrifying; the experts present dared not even draw a breath, and Ye Yitian was no exception.

"A real man knows when to bend and when to stretch."

Ye Ziyang cast a glance at Cheng Nan.

"Your subordinate will keep this in mind."

Cheng Nan hurriedly bowed.

"The Ancestral Hall has been activated and the Li Fire has risen. You are the best alchemist in the Qiuchi Kingdom, most skilled at controlling fire and splitting flames. If you can obtain the Li Fire, you shall be heavily rewarded."

Ye Ziyang looked toward the Li Fire River and gave his orders to Cheng Nan.

"Your subordinate will give his all to obtain the Li Fire for the Grand Marshal."

Cheng Nan was ecstatic, stealing a glance at Ye Yiqing. If he could achieve this merit, he wondered if he might be able to propose marriage to the Ye Clan.

Ye Yiqing did not even look at him, her demeanor cold and arrogant.

Leaving the Grandmaster Mansion, Su Youqian was overjoyed the entire way. Having finally achieved his wish, he thanked Liu Chengfeng repeatedly and tried to drag him off to indulge in the pleasures of the pleasure district.

Liu Chengfeng refused, insisting on returning to the Demon Slaying Division. Su Youqian had no choice but to escort Liu Chengfeng back.

When Liu Chengfeng returned, Han Qi said nothing, merely giving him a look of deep satisfaction and allowing him to settle in.

The Demon Slaying Division was a place for detaining criminals, yet Liu Chengfeng lived there as if it were his own home.

He stayed within the Demon Slaying Division, never stepping out, and busied himself with cultivation.

He circulated his mental cultivation technique, regulating his blood energy and absorbing spiritual energy, feeling that things were different than before.

At this moment, the Spirit Veins beneath the earth were particularly active, and both the water-attributed Spirit Pool and the fire-attributed Spirit Pool were overflowing with spiritual energy.

The Ancestral Hall had been activated, and the Imperial Capital was being saturated with spiritual energy.

"Something is still not right."

As Liu Chengfeng circulated his technique, he discovered that even though spiritual energy had permeated the entire Imperial Capital, that portion of highly toxic marsh-like spiritual energy had not dissipated.

Instead, it had hidden itself deeper, as if lying in wait.

"This is not naturally occurring."

Liu Chengfeng was certain; this highly toxic marsh-like spiritual energy was not natural.

This piqued Liu Chengfeng's curiosity as to why the spiritual energy of the Imperial Capital would be tainted with such a potent poison.

If it were man-made, who could have done it?

Just as Liu Chengfeng was cultivating, trouble came knocking at his door.

"Pan Nuolin of the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect has arrived with a team to apprehend Liu Chengfeng."

A young man led a group to the entrance, demanding that the Demon Slaying Division hand over their man.

The youth wore silver robes and boots, a cloak embroidered with lightning, and possessed a handsome face with cold eyes and an extraordinary bearing. His tone was aggressive.

The dozen or so experts he brought with him possessed robust blood energy and clearly harbored ill intent.

With the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect arriving to make an arrest, the Demon Slaying Division braced for a major confrontation, and all their experts stepped forward.

Liu Chengfeng was not surprised; he knew this day would eventually come, though it had arrived even later than he had imagined.

"This is the Qiuchi Kingdom's Demon Slaying Division. Without an order from His Majesty, no one is permitted to enter."

Before Liu Chengfeng could speak, Han Qi flatly refused them.

"My Dragon Ascending Holy Sect intends to take this man; who dares to stop us?"

Pan Nuolin, the Lightning Sword Young Master, possessed exceptional talent and had reached the First Stage of the Connection Realm. Known as a minor prodigy within the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect, he was arrogant and looked down upon everyone.

"Get lost—"

Han Qi let out a cold shout, a sharp, piercing aura surging toward Pan Nuolin.

Pan Nuolin struck like lightning, drawing his sword as a cold light erupted.

Han Qi was the fourth strongest expert in the Qiuchi Kingdom, a Great Perfection of the Reception Fourth Rank; he would never give Pan Nuolin the chance to draw his blade.

He pressed his hand into the void, and with a "bang," he pinned the cold sword down, preventing it from being unsheathed.

Pan Nuolin's expression changed drastically, and he retreated in a hurry; he excelled in speed, and clad in silver robes, his body moved like an arrow, incredibly fast.

However, Han Qi clung to him like a maggot on a bone, his massive hand pressing down like Mount Tai crushing the summit.

Pan Nuolin felt a jolt of terror; as a Reception First Rank, he was completely at Han Qi's mercy.

"Great Protector—"

Pan Nuolin let out a loud cry.

A blade hummed, thunder roared, and cold light bloomed as a strike descended; the blade was like thunder, unstoppable, with a blade aura spanning a hundred meters.

What a powerful strike.

Liu Chengfeng felt a chill in his heart.

Han Qi let out a cold snort, his palm twisting like a giant stele; his hand, covered by an iron gauntlet, struck out, shattering the wind and air with the weight of a mountain.

He met the thunderous blade head-on with his palm, and with a "clang," sparks showered the air.

Han Qi wore his gloves, and though the strike was powerful, it could not harm him.

"Iron Stele Hand."

The man who had swung the blade exclaimed in surprise.

The wielder was a youth of thirty, looking mature and honest; he was not tall, but sturdy as an ox and steady as a mountain, his hand gripping a blade that hummed with the sound of thunder.

"Thunder Blade Technique, Lei Jun."

Han Qi looked coldly at the man before him, the gloves on his hands flashing with a frigid, icy light.

"Chief Han, we have come to apprehend Liu Chengfeng and have no intention of making enemies."

Lei Jun, the Great Protector of the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect, stated his purpose.

"Unless there is an order from His Majesty, please return."

The Dragon Ascending Holy Sect was currently at the height of its power, having recently destroyed the Flying Phoenix Kingdom; they were unstoppable.

Yet, Han Qi refused him flatly.

Lei Jun looked at Liu Chengfeng; the man he was meant to apprehend was right before his eyes.

Liu Chengfeng crossed his arms over his chest, watching the spectacle.

"What if I insist on taking him?"

The long blade in Lei Jun's hand crackled with thunder and lightning, pointing straight ahead.

"Your Thunder Blade Technique is decent, but you are no match for me."

Han Qi was indifferent, his expression devoid of ripples, yet his cold, sharp aura made it difficult for others to breathe.

Lei Jun's expression shifted, his eyes turning cold as lightning flickered within them.

Lei Jun was also a Reception Fourth Rank, but he was indeed inferior to Han Qi.

The gap between them lay not only in cultivation but also in their techniques and weaponry, where he could not compare to Han Qi.

Han Qi's Iron Stele Hand was a high-grade Sage Scroll technique from the Reception Divine Treasury.

The Heavy Gold Ice Gloves he wore were forged from top-tier Vein Gold, crafted only by Fourth-Refinement Swordsmiths.

This supreme weapon had been bestowed upon him by the Imperial family.

The Iron Stele Hand had also been a gift from the Imperial family.

The Qiuchi Kingdom's Imperial family had shown great favor to Han Qi, and he was fiercely loyal to them, obeying only the orders of the Qiuchi Emperor!

The two sides stood in a stalemate; the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect wanted to take their target, while the Demon Slaying Division recognized only the orders of the Qiuchi Emperor.

Otherwise, no matter how great the prestige of the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect, Han Qi would surely slay Lei Jun.

"Qiuchi Kingdom, you must not harbor the Divine Dynasty's wanted criminal, Liu Chengfeng; hand him over."

A voice of Dao resonated, echoing over the Imperial Capital as the might of the Great Dao rolled in, threatening to submerge the city.

"A big shot from the Great Dao Divine Treasury."

The rolling might of the Great Dao startled the god-cultivators of the Imperial Capital.

There were only three experts of the Great Dao Divine Treasury in the entire Qiuchi Kingdom: the Emperor, the Grand Marshal, and Lady Chen.

Everyone was shocked as a procession appeared above the Imperial City, surrounded by experts, with a carriage pulled by precious steeds.

Sitting on the carriage was an old man with white hair, draped in golden robes, his demeanor arrogant as he looked down upon the entire Imperial City.

The aura of the Great Dao radiated from him, suppressing everyone below.

"Criminal Liu Chengfeng, seize him."

The procession hovered above the Demon Slaying Division, the white-haired old man looking down at the crowd.

"Surrender—"

Pan Nuolin reached out to grab Liu Chengfeng, but Han Qi let out a cold snort, his sharp, icy aura pushing outward, and Pan Nuolin was sent flying by the shockwave.

"You dare—"

Lei Jun let out a loud shout, lunging forward as thunder roared, his blade shattering the air with a hundred-meter aura, wreathed in flashes of lightning.